It's their job: Sherrye Burleson

Name: Sherrye Burleson

Job: Library Technician in Media Services at the Golden Library at Eastern New Mexico University.

Background: Burleson was born in Texas but moved to the Portales area as a young child. She graduated from Portales High School and received an associate’s degree from ENMU. She worked in different departments at the school before leaving and then returning to take up her current job.

What does your job entail? I supervise Media Services, which completes a number of tasks. We reserve and deliver media equipment for use in the classrooms. We also check out portable media equipment to faculty and students, including laptops, LCD projectors, cameras and camcorders, and the like. Our other area is open to the public, where we laminate and make spiral bindings, dye cuts and buttons. We sell banner paper for making posters and take poster orders for our graphic design artist to create and print. These services are also open to the public with a small charge.

We also supervise the 30 computers that make up the library computer lab and help with other things that come up. I personally supervise 12 student workers. We do a lot for the community.

What is a typical day like for you? The only typical thing we do is have scheduled equipment deliveries and pickups. Most other jobs we do when people come in and need them. Other than that, no two days are the same.

Why did you choose this job? When I originally worked at Eastern, my husband asked me to quit and help with his business. After he passed away, I got a job at a peanut mill in Arch. There I realized that I missed working with the students, so much so I decided to come back. There was an opening here, and they hired me.

What kind of training is needed for this job? Practical business secretary training is helpful. We have to know how to deal with money and answer the phone. Typical public relations aspects like knowing how to take messages and operate a computer are also needed. I try to instill in the student workers that this is a real job, an opportunity for training for the outside business world.

What do you enjoy most about your job? The satisfaction of helping others and getting acquainted with people. My greatest reward is when a member of the faculty or a student comes in and thanks us. I also enjoy the students. They are my kids. I never had any children of my own, but here I have a very well-extended family.

— Compiled by PNT Correspondent Blake Downs